Siblings die in severe weather

POWERFUL storms that rolled across the south of the United States on Saturday spawned at least two suspected tornadoes, damaged homes and killed two children in Texas, authorities said.

The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said an eight-year-old and a three-year-old died when strong winds toppled a tree onto the back of their family’s car in Lufkin while it was in motion. Captain Alton Lenderman said the parents in the front seats were not injured.

Lufkin is about 185km northeast of Houston. Additional information was not immediately available.

In Central Texas a tornado hit the small city of Franklin, overturning mobile homes and damaging other residences.